President Obama publicly thanked Pope Francis for helping facilitate the beginning of normalised relations between the US and Cuba. The president’s comments came, Thursday, on a nationally televised address. Obama said Pope Francis wrote to both Cuban president Raul Castro and himself urging them to find a way to resolve Cuba’s imprisonment of US citizen Read more
At Mass in Casa Santa Marta on Monday, Pope Francis reflected on the day’s Gospel reading, in which the chief priests asked Jesus by what authority He did His works. This was a demand that demonstrates the “hypocritical heart” of those people, Pope Francis said. They were people who were not interested in the truth, Read more
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang expressed his appreciation for Pope Francis’ decision not to meet with the Dalai Lama. Qin said Monday that China had “noticed” the Holy See’s attitude. China is always sincere about improving relations with Vatican, Qin said. “China will continue to hold constructive dialogue with the Holy See,” Qin said, Read more
Pope Francis got a cake, cards and a tango demonstration for his 78th birthday Wednesday — and 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds) of chicken meat for the poor. Argentinian Pope Francis was born in the birthplace of the tango on 17 December 1936. The Vatican said Wednesday the meat, provided by a Spanish producer, would be Read more
Pope Francis is opening the doors to an earthly paradise: the working farm at the papal summer residence here that produces the dairy, meat and vegetables for the pope and his staff. The Vatican is planning to open the farm at Castel Gandolfo to the public next year, after finding success with its guided tours Read more
Oceania, New Zealand and Australia do not feature in the ‘global’ research of Pope Francis’ popularity. The Pew Research Centre global survey, released Friday, however shows most of the rest of the world seems to love him. A charmer of global opinion since he was elected pontiff last year, he has championed causes such as Read more
Sr Cristina Succia, the singing nun and winner of the Italian version of “The Voice” is in YouTube’s Top 10 videos for 2014. Sr Cristina’s very first video performance joins the list of social media’s who’s who including adorable animals, a multi-million dollar Super Bowl commercial, the iPhone 6 Plus bend test, and Simon Cowell’s “Bars Read more
The news networks are abuzz with stories saying that Pope Francis has said pets go to heaven. They’ve even “helpfully” noted how this contrasts with the position of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. But the thing is . . . the whole story is false. Here are 7 things to know and share . . . Read more
God is like a mother, He loves us unconditionally. However, too often we want to take control of this grace in a kind of a spiritual book-keeping, Pope Francis said during his homily at Mass this morning in the chapel at Casa Santa Marta. “God’s closeness is such that he is presented like a mother, Read more
Theological differences do not impede the witness of a shared love of God and neighbour. The comment made by Pope Francis came during a first private audience with a Salvation Army delegation led by General André Cox. Catholics and the Salvation Army, together with other Christians, recognise that those in need have a special place Read more